Skull cap holder for securing a skull cap to its skull portion



June 18, 1957 R. J. M NEELY 2,795,837 4 SKULL CAP HOLDER FOR SECURING A SKULL CAP TO ITS SKULL PORTION Filed Oct. 12, 1953 INVENTOR Ray J. M NeeLL ATTORNEY United States Patent '0 'i'ice SKULL CAP HOLDER FOR SECURING A SKULL CAP TO ITS SKULL PORTION Ray J. McNeely, Olympia, Wash., assignor to McNeely Company, Inc., Olympia, Wash.

Application October 12, 1953, Serial No. 385,412

3 Claims. (CI. 27-21) This invention relates to a skull cap holder. and has for an object to provide a means for firmly securing a skull cap to its skull portion while and after the scalp is being sewed back into position.

During the performance of an autopsy the top portion of the skull must be removed in. order that the brain may be examined. This is done by sawing the skull horizontally circumferentially of the head and thus allowing complete removal of the top portion of the skull, the sawing being done after the scalp has been cut and partially or entirely peeled from the skull. After the brain has been examined the removed portion of the skull is replaced and must be secured so that it will remain firmly in its proper position.

Therefore one object of the invention is to provide holders of an improved construction which may be applied to meeting portions of the sawed skull and very firmly hold the sawed-ofi portion of the skull in place when it is restored to its original position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a skull cap holder of such construction that it is placed in gripping position only on the skull portion, or only on the skull cap, and then, when the cap is placed in contacting position with the skull portion, an extending strap pivoted on the holder is moved from a position at right angles to the length of the holder gripping legs to a position extending lengthwise thereof, to thus extend over and hold the cap between a plurality of the thus extended straps, the straps being slightly curved inwardly toward each other as in extended position to thus provide a firm hold on the skull cap.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improvement over the clamp shown in U. S. Patent 2,576,649 to Slind.

Briefly, the skull cap holder consists of a U-shaped gripping jaw with the legs extending parallel to each other but slightly curved and a curved strap pivotally riveted adjacent its lower end to the outer convex leg of the jaw so that the strap may be pivoted out of the way when the cap is placed on the skull portion, and then the strap may be pivoted to extend over and hold the cap in place firm While and after the scalp is sewed back in position.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention comprises the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth, claimed and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows an inside or front plan view of the holder.

Fig. 2 shows a vertical cross sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 3 shows the pivoted position of the strap on the holder.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the holder in upside down or inverted position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the holder firmly holding the skull cap on the skull portion.

The improved holder of this invention is used for firmly securing a replaced upper cap portion 11 of a skull to the main skull portion 12 after inspection of the brain 7 2,795,837 Patented June 18, 1957 and that when the upper cap portion 11 of the skull is replaced a suitable number (three or more) of the improved holders 10 will be applied in spaced relation to each other circumferentially of the skull to firmly hold the sawed-off cap portion 11 against movement out of its original position relative to the main portion 12. of the skull while and after the scalp is sewed back in position, thus preventing the formation of a groove or indentation across the forehead of the corpse with its distressing afiect on the bereaved family.

This skull cap holder 10' is made of two pieces, one a U-shaped jaw 14 having, slightly curved parallel legs 15 and 16, the leg 15 being concave and the leg 16 being convex on their outer surfaces, and a metal strap 17, similarly curved, pivotally riveted at 18 to the convex leg 16 at a position spaced from the jaw bight 20 a distance at least equal to half the width of the strap, so that when the strap 17 is pivoted at right. angles to the direction of the legs, it will be entirely below the bight 20, so that the cap may be placed on the skull. edge. without interference therefrom, and when it is pivoted to extend in the same direction as the legs, it will extend substantially beyond but inwardly of the outer convex surface of convex leg 16.

The method of operation of this invention is to first place a plurality, three or more, of the holders of this invention circumferentially about the sawed oflE edge of one of the skull portions, with the curved resilient strap 17 in its pivoted right angle position as shown in Fig. 3. Obviously, the strap may be placed in the extended position and used as a handle while forcing the legs 16 and 17 of the jaw 14 over the skull sawed-off edge and then pivoted to the right angle position. When the holders are in place with the straps in right angle pivoted position, the cap 11 and main portion 12 are fitted together in edge to edge position without having to apply any substantial force, and then held in contacting position while the straps 17 are pivoted to extended position. The extended straps will then firmly hold the cap 11 to the main skull portion 12, and being very thin, will not show through.

when the scalp is drawn thereover and sewed back in position, and the cap being held against movement, no groove or indentation will appear in the forehead when the corpse is on exhibition during funeral services. Due to the absence of force in replacing the cap on the main skull portion, there is no danger of breaking or crumbling the cap, particularly possible when death was caused by head injuries.

While the device has been shown and the structure described in detail, it is obvious that this invention is not to be considered as being limited to the exact form disclosed, and that changes in detail and construction may be made therein within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

1. A skull cap holder for firmly securing a sawed-off skull cap to its skull portion while and after the scalp is being sewed back comprising a U-shaped jaw having slightly curved legs and a bight connecting said legs, one leg having an inner convex surface and the other leg having an inner concave surface, whereby said leg having said inner concave surface has an outer convex surface, a slightly curved strap of similar curvature pivotally riveted to said leg having the outer convex surface a distance from said bight equal to at least half the width of said strap, the length of said jaw bight being such that the legs will resiliently grip on the outer and inner surfaces of a skull portion, and the strap when pivoted to extend in the same direction as the jaw legs will extend over and resiliently engage the outer surface of the skull cap when placed against the skull portion, whereby a plurality of holders in spaced apart positions on the skull portion will firmly hold the skull cap in place thereon when the extending straps have been pivoted thereover.

2, A skull cap holder for firmly securing a sawed-off skull cap to its skull portion while and after the scalp is being sewed back comprising a U-shaped jaw having slightly curved legs and a bight connecting said legs, one leg having an inner convex surface andthe other leg having an inner concave surface, whereby said leg having said inner concave surface has an outer convex surface, a slightly curved strap of similar curvature pivotally riveted to said leg having the outer convex surface a distance from said bight equal to at least half the width of said strap, said jaw and said strap being of resilient sheet material, the length of said jaw bight being such that the legs will resiliently grip on the outer and inner surfaces of a skull portion, and the strap when pivoted to extend in the same direction as the jaw legs will extend over and resiliently engage the outer surface of the skull cap when placed against the skull portion, whereby a plurality of holders in spaced apart positions on the skull portion will firmly hold the skull cap in place thereon when the extending straps have been pivoted thereover.

3. A skull cap holder comprising a U-shaped jaw having slightly curved legs and a bight connecting said legs,

one leg having an inner convex surface and the other leg having an inner concave suztace, whereby said leg having said inner concave surface has an outer convex surface, a slightly curved strap of similar curvature pivotally riveted to said leg having the outer convex surface a distance from said bight equal to at least half the width of said strap, said jaw and said strap being of resilient material, said material being thin sheet spring steel, the length of said jaw bight being such that the legs will resiliently grip on the outer and inner surfaces of a skull portion, and the strap when pivoted to extend in the same direction as the jaw legs will extend over and resiliently engage the outer surface of the other skull portion when placed against the first skull portion, whereby a plurality of holders in spaced apart positions on the skull portion will firmly hold the skull cap in place on the main skull portion when the extending straps have been pivoted to extended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS '706,995 Nippert Aug. 12, 1902 1,484,288 Benedict Feb. 19, 1924 2,576,649 Slind Nov. 27, 1951 

